16 replies to this topic

[Ayrton2015]

I have hydrolastic on my hornet I've posted about some wheels Advice qbut really before I get any I better sort the hydro. At the moment it is deflated after being In storage I drove home today approx 10miles. I presume it is sitting on the bumpstops. Correct me if I'm wrong. My question iOS I'm not entirely sure how to I raise it up slightly I want it low and I want some wider wheels however at the moment it's just to low I don't think wider wheels will fit Is it easy enough to put liquid in and pump it up with a foot pump? How does the liquid go in. Could I just pump it up as it is to raise it very slightly ( no liquid )

[pdaykin]

You need a special pump - not just any old foot pump.

Fewer garages have them these days. But they do come up on eBay.

Just a word of warning, running with reduced fluid to reduce the ride height will give you appaling ride and handling

[Ayrton2015]

Yes I know it is appaling.. I have researched into converting to dry using my subframes is It really possible with ease or is it a nightmare I would like to stay with hydro but I do want a lower ride

[carbon]

As pdaykin says you need high pressure fluid pump, these are available but your best bet is to find local garage which can do this for you (a garage which specialises in MGs may also be able to help, the MGF uses hydrolastic).

 

Pressure should be about 260 (early models) to 280 psi (later models). When pressure low the back tends to droop.

 

If you really want to lower a hydrolastic car you could machine the displacer struts. But if you want good handling the generally recommended approach is to keep displacers standard and add shock absorbers to the front and also fit competition bump stops all round.

[Ayrton2015]

Yes I have shock absorbers on the front, I think it may be time to convert to dry it's just to high when it's pumped up Anyone else done it? Any advice would be great

[carbon]

What pressure are you taking it up to, and is it too high at front, back, or both?

 

If you hydro units are holding pressure OK then I would not change to dry.

[mk1leg]

Yes I know it is appaling.. I have researched into converting to dry using my subframes is It really possible with ease or is it a nightmare I would like to stay with hydro but I do want a lower ride

speak to minimachine they may help

[Ayrton2015]

Not sure about pressure usally get it done at a garage ( no longer there ) it was usally high all round

[Ayrton2015]

I will get in touch with mini machine do they do a conversion kit

What parts would be required bearing in mind I would like to be able to adjust it

[carbon]

To do wet-dry conversion properly you need:

- dry front subframe (old type, with 4 bolt fixing to bulkhead)

- 2 x dry front top arms

- 2 x dry rear radius arms

- 4 x donuts

- front trumpets & rear trumpets (or Hi-Los if you go adjustable)

- 2 rear shockers to replace rear helper springs (you can probably reuse your front shockers)

Fairly straightforward, but not trivial.

[Ayrton2015]

Thanks for the info only catch is i really dont want to replace sub-frame! ive been reading about knocking back or grinding away 3 x tabs! can it be done with engine etc in the car if i reuse the wet subby

[Ayrton2015]

Is there much difference between wet and dry radius arms?

[Spider]

I made my first Hydro Pump using a Clutch Master Cylinder, slow and had to fill the reservoir often, but that served me well for many years.

 

Is there much difference between wet and dry radius arms?

 

Yes, they are quite different, but in detailed ways. Using a Wet Arm for Dry will be a much harder ride.

[mab01uk]

Keep the Hydrolastic it is a unique part of Mini history, becoming rare and should be preserved for as long as possible before they are all gone.........ride is great as well, far superior to dry, they only stopped it because it was more expensive. Most of the winning BMC Works rally and race Mini's were on hydrolastic too.

 

How To Lower Hydrolastic Suspension ?

http://www.theminifo...tic-suspension/

 

Building your own hydrolastic suspension pump & service tools:
(click on 'Technical Advice', then 'Suspension, Brakes & Steering' then scroll down)
http://www.austinamericausa.com/

Edited by mab01uk, 15 February 2016 - 07:09 AM.

[Ayrton2015]

Good advice maybe time to reconsider i do agree they are becoming rare so it does seem silly to strip it all off time to make a pump!